These shows were my 3rd, 4th, & 5th shows. What an amazing run! My first time in Colorado. Drove with friends from Jersey and stayed at Chief Hosa's Campground. Nice Birdsong! Great Lazy>Supplication!! Amazing Help>Slip>Franklin's!!!

...I was obviously not as enamored with it as many of the reviewers below. The biggest highlights for me were in the first set: an always fun Dupree's and a fairly epic Supplication jam. The second set a mostly meat-and-potatoes setlist that was very well played and worth hearing. I enjoyed it but didn't love it.

i think the help>slip>franklin's from this show is one of the best of the '80s, of what i've heard at least. especially the slipknot, which, dare i say, is better than a few from the '70s.

it actually starts off a little weak, with garcia fumbling his way thru help a bit. you think to yourself "uh oh, here we go..." but all bets are off once slipknot starts. the jamming is fast paced and really trippy; jerry and brent dance around each other very creatively. the franklin's is also well done, even if jer forgets a lot of the words.

i also dig the long supplication jam, and the playin' is pretty nice...gonna have to keep this one in the rotation....

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pretty good show, like the early bucket, and the bird song is really nice, maybe not quite as good as 10/17/83 but close; i'm really reevaluating my opinion of 82-83, which were good years, even if they aren't 1969...

I've been a hardcore Deadhead for 12 years, and have always been what you'd all probably consider a 70's snob. I own hundreds of tapes, 85% of which are from '66-'78. I'd always assumed most of their 80's shows after '81 and before '89 weren't that great, due to Jerry's condition and such. I was very wrong. I just started listening to shows from 82-83, and so far I'm blown away, especially by this show. The Help>Slipknot>Franklins is up there with the best '77 versions, while the Playing jam is as fluid and tripped-out as anything I've heard from the band. The first set ain't too shabby either, with a killer Peggy-O and, one of my personal favorites, Bird Song, which is stellar even with the AUD patch.

Just a killer show all around. The Dead may have been a little inconsistent in the early 80's, but when they were on, they were ON! I think my collection's gonna grow alot here really soon.

This was me first Red Rocks experience and actually my first trip to Colorado. We drove out from Chicago and stayed the week. Red Rocks for the first time is so mind blowing. Experiences like this is what led me to move to Colorado 3 yrs later. We stayed in the makeshift camp that is somewhere in the neighborhood of the present day Bandemere Speedway. Just a whole bunch of hippies in the hot sun for 3 days. This show is jamming. One of the best of '83.

This Rocks run was, as was often the case, one of the best, if not the best, of the year, and this show is the creme de la creme. The first set is solid with a great Peggy-O, awesome Bird Song and as previously mentioned a stellar Lazy Lightning>Supplication. The second set is where this show really shines! the Slipknot>Franklin's is just exquisite with Jerry riffing like only he could and the Slipknot is just exquisite. The three Help>Slip>Frank's on this tour (Here, Boise and Santa Fe) are some of my favorites ever!!. The Playing is one of the classics, nice and long and jammed out. I love the Space >UJB. As previously mentioned, Jerry starts the UJB intro riff at about 6:50 into the Space Jam and then the band proceeds to weave in and out of Uncle John's Space for over 8 minutes, with the crowd egging them on the whole time, a great example of the interplay between the band and the Heads that epitomized so many great shows and demonstrates the symbiotic relationship between fans and band. When space is over they finally start an epic UJB, more than 12 minutes long, giving you over 20 min of UJB jamming, and it is exquisite throughout, one of the great versions you'll hear. The Throwing Stones is one of the early ones (where the jam was loose and built up to a great climax, before they standardized that particular jam with a Samson & Delilah type jam). I always thought that the subsequent Throwing Stones were a not nearly as good, and of course overplayed. Anyway This is one awesome show and one for the ages.

The three shows that ended with this sublime night was my official introduction to what I will always consider to be the one and only “greatest show on earth”! It took a couple of nights to figure out what this was all about and get my boogie on, but I was in good company that brought me along and instilled a positive vibe in this than 17 year old, that still is and will always be there. Thank you Gary and Jan!

This is nothing less than a time machine! Even after almost 24 years I can still remember Ramble on Rose, Brown Eyed Women and Terrapin Station when I listen to this, and it sounds just as new and mesmerizing now as it did then. I am unable to be critical of any of the music on this site. It is true that some of these diamonds are rough, but they are all priceless gems to me! I can’t wait and return to all of the other shows I was so lucky to have been witnessed to. Well I’m off to do what some say is not possible….travel back in time…..I hope I see you all there dancing in the isles!

Looks like fall of 1983 is proving to be one of those runs. This show just blew me away when I got it 2 years ago, and it's still in my rotation. The first two songs are strong, but not an immediate clue you're in for a brain-melting show. Then Jerry pulls out a soulful Peggy-O, a great, even spooky vocal performance - and you know things are getting serious. Nice interplay between Brent and Jerry. Soaring guitar lines. A fine, and unexpected mid-set Bucket keeps the intensity going - no silly cowboy songs tonight. Just a platform for Jerry to wail. He's a little low in the mix here, but no complaints. Another surprise - a semi-rare Dupree's. Another clue that Jerry's in fine form (Dire Wolf or High Time can also be good omens here). So far, a non-cliche first set, and great playing. Brent's circus-like keyboard works nicely here.
The Bird Song is the main course, of course. Repack the bowl, here we go. Soaring, floating, Monet-like, ever-changing light and shadow. Is 1983 THE year for Bird Song or what? Well, there's 1972, and 1990 with Branford. But listen to this!!
Like Bach at the organ, Garcia just weaves melody and fugue around and around into a dazzling tapestry of notes. Supplication is fast and furious - showers of sparks from Jerry. So much great jamming in Set One, they set the bar high to top themselves in Set Two. But from the first notes of Help - you know Set Two will be even more spectacular.
Phil and Jerry blast out of the gate, with an up-tempo Help that demands your body to move. They waste no time in getting to the Slipknot - and the fingers really fly. Jerry burns on the fuzz tone. A long well-jammed version, one of the best from this period. Ties your brain in a knot, indeed!
13 minute Franklin says it all. And the PLayin - Garcia goes off into space land, with help from Brent's synth. Twisty and mysterious. The Jam into Drums is almost Dark Star territory.
Then the rare post-Drums Uncle John's is just pure gravy, a long and mythical trip, and the Brokedown is a treat too.
A must have for 1983 fans and a solid show all the way.
cheers,
Dr. Flashback :-)

Reviewer:yipyaw
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December 2, 2006 Subject:
in the thick of it

This was truly one for the dark ages of light. Mountain Jim I think I know yee. I, too, saw shows from 77 to 95, including RR 78 throughout. I was touring a lot in the early 80's but the Rocks were always home, and always a safe feeling for leaving myself behind. This Help-Slips-Franks ranks among my favorite. Recordings only capture a fraction, but it's enough to trigger visions of neighboring dancers and rocks and yipyaw!

The important thing after the brou-ha-ha is that we can still listen to these shows...for over 30 years my wife and I have lived 30 min from RR..although '78 is always special this run stands out not only for the really clean acid but the "come together right now over me" music. This show rises and falls but remains within my top five RR shows..the music and the rocks melting together..a clean version..crank it up loud..sit in your backyard..F the neighbors a couple times a year..oh yeah..impeach Bush

Brent's circus keys are fun and trippy in Dupree's... reminds me of the bozos I'd see running around in circles in the audience... heh heh.

Fun show. Give it a listen.

Reviewer:Liamfinnegan
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November 8, 2005 Subject:
Wow-what a great show

I did not expect to hear something this fantastic from '83. Now I have to go digging in '83 and listen to more shows! The 2nd set, as all have said, is incredible- you know when there is an incredible peak in the Throwing Stones Jam you are witnessing something special-the slipknot, the jam out of playin- awesome

Reviewer:Liamfinnegan
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November 8, 2005 Subject:
Wow-what a great show

I did not expect to hear something this fantastic from '83. Now I have to go digging in '83 and listen to more shows! The 2nd set, as all have said, is incredible- you know when there is an incredible peak in the Throwing Stones Jam you are witnessing something special-the slipknot, the jam out of playin- awesome

Reviewer:yippierb
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July 24, 2005 Subject:
great stuff from a great venue

This was a nice run despite some repeats of new material. This may be the best night too(I have yet to listen to the following two from the archive yet) Had them on analog tape for years and was in attendence. The second set is mighty fine and set one.. the lazy-supp is just smokin. The Slipknot jam into Frank is pure joy. When they hit that Franklin intro the crowd just jumped...Hell! we were all up already. I flew in from Cincy on Labor day and to my great happiness entered what Wavy called the "Hotel Colorado" camped right next to the Asp(which my old friend Billy drove into Katmandu years earlier with the Hogfarm)for 3 days. Nobody for President in 84. How bout the guy with the giant cruise missle on the little pick-up truck. Jeez remember the cold war? The campground was just brilliant; the kind of thing that hippies used to put together before the possibilities of the past were all but forgotten in lieau of rampant consumerism and self indulgence(and I ain't talking about drugs and alcohol). The local restaraunt even had a Little Kings nite, a bit a home for a lad from "da natty". Wish I had booked a flight into SLC and done the parkwest/sante fe shows too. Years later I lived in Taos and really regretted not taking the bus to the Downs. How bout the slow groove tempo of UJB? Nice that they didn't let it get away. Space in those days still included actual improv from the gitbox players and I love Bob's celtic chords. Good music, good vibe, best outdoor venue

Nice show. Jerry is on. Isn't that what so many of us are listening for? For all the people who give 92-95 shows a 5 rating, this must be a seven, right? esp HSF. Great, almost abrasive, performance. Jerry is still not afraid to play loud. Too many 5 stars out there. But, damn, why do they persist on trying to sing a nice harmony? - see UJB of many shows, including this one

Nice show. Jerry is on. Isn't that what so many of us are listening for? For all the people who give 92-95 shows a 5 rating, this must be a seven, right? esp HSF. Great, almost abrasive, performance. Jerry is still not afraid to play loud. Too many 5 stars out there.

Peggy-o and minglewood get the crowd rocking, bird song very nice. It is hard for them to play anything mediocre at Red Rocks and this is no exception. '83 get no love and having seen quite a few shows from this period, I much prefer these from later in the game. Sound a bit iffy in the beginning and there are some drop offs as it switches to aud. h/s/f is epic especially franklins.

This is a well-rounded show, with an excellent Slipknot! and a very good version of Lazy Lightning > Supplication. Might As Well and UJB are nice also. No real blazing moments besides the few mentioned, but a round performance overall.

Sound is kind of wacky until you reach Hell In A Bucket (sound levels/eq...Healy?!) and a few splices here and there. Nice seamless AUD patches. To correct other reviews, in addition to NFA, there is also an AUD patch towards the end of Bird Song. Overall a crisp sound.

H>S>F as others have noted really cooks. All three songs are performed at a high level, JG hits all his notes and the Franklin's just takes off about 1/2 way through and jams hypnotically with Jerry blistering some sick leads as the tune reaches its crescendo. Playin is true PRIMAL dead, with a 70s length and 80s feel, long jams punctuated by Phil's thumping bass, Brent's ivories and some interesting Weir lines that add tremendously to the tune.

Drums had not yet fully incorporated the "beam" segment and Space wanders into unfamiliar territory as a rare post Space Uncle John's Band stretches out over 10 plus minutes with the band simply refusing to let go of the hook as the crowd cheers lustily. Playin reprise melts into an early T Stones version with some different lyrics and time signature, which itself is interesting to hear, and the NFA closer.

Well played start to finish, another way to debunk the notion that the quality of the music slid in the mid 80s. The source recording is A+ with the only AUD splice occurring toward the end of NFA (no big deal). HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Being one of those with the opinion that Playin' in the Band was a direct link in the '80s and '90s to the Dark Stars of the '70s, this might be my favorite pre-drums segment of the early '80s.

The Playin' here is at once both delicate and forceful, traveling to rugged deserts and jagged peaks on an elegant flying carpet. Near the end a new-age jam breaks out, complete with seagull noises courtesy of Mr. Weir.

Though it has an interesting set list, the first set of this show is not above par. Aside from noteworthy some Garcia work on Peggy-O, and an enjoyable Lazy Lightning and Supplication, the first set is not great. At some poins, such as the wonky version of Dupree's Diamond Blues, the set is even below standard.
However, all this changes at the start of the second set. From help on the way all the way to Brokedwoan palace, this set is some of the finest music the Dead have ever played. The mazing vocal work on Help on the way leads way to the incredible jam of Slipknot! From there we go to one of the finest versions of Franklins tower ever. About three quarters of the way through the song the vocals seem to explode with passion.
Playin in the band is no less amazing, with such a high energy flow between every element of the band. After this jam, the band goes into about 15 minutes of experimental percussion and bass sounds although to any regular person this would sound like torture, this free-form ecclectic jam finds its place in the heart of the set, and the heart of every true deadhead. The smooth bass riffs seem to tantalize the ears while the percussion beckons the listener into a surreal zone of music appreciation. When the band finally does launch back into a stable song, it is truly dumbfounding.
After this, throwing stones serves as a nice transition piece to Not Fade Away, which is possibly the most riveting version ever. To close off the evning, the Dead give us Brokedown Palace, who's heartfelt harmonies serve as a tender closing to an amazing night of music.
All in all, the first set is a fine example of many great "songs", wehreas the second set is one of the best examples of the true jam essence of the dead. With some of Lesh's best work at the start, and Garcia and Weir's greatest work towards the end, the band is truly on fire. It is a musical journey to musical heights only the Grateful Dead could lead us to.

I attended about 100 shows from 78-95, and this one for me is numero uno. The best versions I heard live of Lazy Lightning > Supplication, Bird Song, and Help > Slip > Franklins.

The Tibetan Bells Mickey spaces, the Uncle Johns. Beautiful!

I felt like a furry creature hanging on to the Rocks for dear life, as the 3 police helicopters looking for rock climbers swirled overhead, their searchlights taken as a whole creating constantly shifting geometric patterns in the night sky.

I did not realize it that night, but this was to be the peak show of my GD career, and while some of that manic intense energy was coming off the stage and perhaps off of Jerry's altered state, it was also coming from the combined audience altered state as well.

I have had several sources for this show, but all have problems. I prefer a great aud when it exists, but for what I have heard that's out there this is the best.

I have the tape of this show so I havent downloaded this show, BUT THAT DOESNT MATTER.
Folks, this show is serious. Second Set is BRUTAL.
HELP>SLIP>FRANKLINS So fast, so loud, so blazing. Jerry's guitar on this is OUT OF THIS WORLD. Jerry was seriously lost in a drug fog, but this show demonstrates that the Persian had not eroded his skills yet. Get this NOW.
Peace

This show definitely deserves 5 stars, not just for sound quality but also for the performance. The second set is seamless. While not characterized by the raw energy of some the early summer shows (Sunday Greek, SPAC), it features marvelous interplay between band members, which comes through beautifully on this SBD.

The first set is no slouch, either. Peggy-O and Birdsong really stand out, but it is the long, jammed out Lazy Lighting-Supplication that makes this set first class. At around 13 minutes, I think it's the longest one I have on tape, certainly the longest and best one I saw live.

The show was great in person, too. It was a beautiful night, no rain (unlike the previous and subsequent years), and the band and audience both seemed to really be getting off. I still get chills when I recall that UJB; by the time they got to "Anybody's choice, I can hear your voice", the crowd was ecstatic. One of the most effective versions of that song I can think of. All three shows were very stong that year, but this show has no weak points, IMHO.